Landmarks of Memory: Culture as a Tool for Placemaking

Eli Synnevåg, Senior Architect and Director for Acquisition for the Middle East at Snøhetta, takes part in an event at the King Abdulaziz Centre for World Culture (Ithra) in Dhahran, Saudi Arabia, on Friday 4th of July. 

This event will delve into the transformative power of culture, urban design, and landmark architecture in shaping vibrant public spaces. 

During a talk, Synnevåg will share the story behind Snøhetta’s architecture, landscape, and interior design for King Abdulaziz Centre for World Culture — a visionary project completed in 2018.

Also known as Ithra, meaning “enrichment” in Arabic, the center was initiated by Saudi Aramco to foster cultural growth, knowledge, and diversity across the Kingdom. Since its opening, Ithra has become a beacon of learning and creativity, offering the public access to a rich array of cultural and educational resources. The center features an auditorium hosting opera, symphonies, musicals, and lectures; a cinema; a library with over 315,000 books; expansive exhibition halls; integrated artworks by local and international artists; and a museum and archive that connect the present cultural vibrancy to the historical roots of Saudi society.

After her talk, Eli Synnevåg will take part in a panel discussion entitled Landmarks of Memory with moderator Moayad Lingga.